Key Facts: Taiwan vs United Kingdom Wages
- Taiwan Minimum Wage
- NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD)
- United Kingdom Minimum Wage
- £12.71/hr ($16.83 USD)
- Taiwan Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- NT$58,000 /mo ($1,864.95 USD)
- United Kingdom Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- £3,253 /mo ($4,306.90 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labor (MOL), Republic of China (Taiwan) (2026-02-24), UK Government / Low Pay Commission (2026-06-17)
Taiwan
United Kingdom
Updated 2026-06-17
The minimum wage in Taiwan is 64% lower than in the United Kingdom in USD terms, though average salaries tell a different story. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,865/mo in Taiwan versus $4,307/mo in the United Kingdom, a 2.3:1 ratio.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Taiwan | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | NT$190 $6.11 | £12.71 $16.83 |
| Minimum wage /mo | NT$28,590 $919.29 | £2,203.07 $2,916.81 |
| Minimum wage /yr | NT$343,080 $11,031.51 | £26,436.80 $35,001.72 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | NT$58,000 /mo $1,864.95 | £3,253 /mo $4,306.90 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | NT$50,500 /mo $1,623.79 | £2,636 /mo $3,490.00 |
| Median individual income /yr | NT$546,000 /yr $17,556.27 | £28,000 /yr $37,071.36 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Taiwan is higher.
Work Week
- Taiwan
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 40 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.34x pay
Labour Standards Act sets 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day. Two mandatory rest days per week (one fixed, one flexible). Overtime: first 2 hrs at 1.34x, next 2 hrs at 1.67x. Monthly overtime cap of 46 hours (may be extended to 54 hours with union/labour-management agreement, max 138 hrs/3 months).
- United Kingdom
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Working Time Regulations limit average to 48 hrs/week (opt-out available). No statutory overtime rate; overtime pay is set by contract.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Taiwan earns 175% less per hour in USD terms than one in the United Kingdom.
See this comparison from United Kingdom's perspective: United Kingdom vs Taiwan
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Taiwan or United Kingdom?
In Taiwan, the minimum wage is NT$190/hr ($6.11 USD). In the United Kingdom, it is £12.71/hr ($16.83 USD). United Kingdom has the higher rate by 175% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Taiwan may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Taiwan compared to United Kingdom?
The average gross salary in Taiwan is NT$58,000/mo ($1,864.95 USD), compared to £3,253/mo ($4,306.90 USD) in the United Kingdom. In USD terms, workers in Taiwan earn approximately 131% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Taiwan and United Kingdom is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in the United Kingdom earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Taiwan.
How do work hours compare between Taiwan and United Kingdom?
Both Taiwan and United Kingdom mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.